Mildew affects a wide range of plants and trees. While often considered a cosmetic issue, mildew can significantly impact plant and tree health, making them more susceptible to other problems. Our certified tree arborists and mildew treatment specialists can identify, treat, and prevent the rapid spread of mildew to protect your landscape.
What is Mildew?
Mildew is a prevalent fungal disease affecting many plants and trees in Southern California. Mildew on plants and trees is mainly the result of weather or environmental conditions. Mildew will slow or distort growth, and cause premature leaf drop or flower death. It is recognizable by the white powdery mycelial and spore growth that forms. Mildew can be found on leaves, shoots, flowers, and fruit. This disease requires living plant tissue to grow but can infect new or old foliage and succulents.
What plants and trees are commonly affected by Mildew?
Mildew commonly affects the following trees and plants:
What are favorable conditions for Mildew?
Weather and temperature (specifically humidity) requirements impact the development of Mildew fungi. All mildew species can produce and infect various plants and trees in the absence of free water. Wind can carry mildew spores from infected hosts to new hosts. Humidity and moderate temperatures of 60° to 80°F with shade are the most favorable conditions for mildew development. High leaf temperatures, along with extreme heat or sunlight and extended periods of water on plant surfaces, can kill the spores of mildew fungi.
Prevention is the best method of control for mildew. Contact our team of plant and tree mildew treatment specialists to set up a healthcare plan for your plants and trees.
How is Mildew managed and treated?
The best treatment for mildew is preventative fungicide applications.
Along with treatments, removing any infected fallen leaves and limbs will reduce overwintering spores, and help reduce re-infections to healthy new leaves.
If weather conditions favoring mildew growth occur as new leaf tissues and flowers are growing and opening, additional applications by a plant and tree mildew treatment specialist at 21-30 day intervals will be necessary.
